The soccer federations of Iran and Egypt have formally requested that FIFA eliminate the “Pride Match” theme and rainbow symbols from the upcoming World Cup match set for June 26 in Seattle.
This match, coinciding with the city’s Pride weekend, aims to emphasize inclusivity and is being labeled the “Pride Match.”
FIFA confirmed that the rainbow flag will still be allowed throughout this summer’s World Cup. President Gianni Infantino has previously distanced FIFA from the promotional aspects related to the event.
In a conversation with a Swiss newspaper, Infantino made it clear that an official “Pride Match” is not part of the tournament, mentioning that anything happening in Seattle does not directly relate to the match.
The Iranian federation expressed serious concern over the matter, stating that it has communicated its stance explicitly to FIFA.
“FIFA believes that the input and worries of the participating teams should be heeded regarding match environment and stadium presentation,” Iran noted in a statement.
Both countries have shared this unified position with FIFA, urging measures to avoid ceremonies or promotional activities related to Pride within the stadiums or during the official events.
Echoing this sentiment, the Egyptian Federation opposed any activities promoting support for homosexuality.
In a letter to FIFA’s Secretary-General, Egypt emphasized its firm rejection of actions that contradict the cultural, religious, and social values of the region, particularly within Arabic and Islamic communities.
The Iranian Football Association carefully avoided direct references to “Pride” or “LGBTQ,” opting to label the event and community as a “movement.”
SeattleFWC2026, meanwhile, has positioned the game at Lumen Field as an “inclusive event” and reiterated that the display of rainbow flags and other flags representing sexual orientation and gender identity is allowed under the FIFA World Cup’s Stadium Code of Conduct.
Reports regarding SeattleFWC2026’s collaboration with Pride Weekend first emerged in December 2025, leading to immediate backlash from the Egyptian and Iranian federations, who aimed to distance the match from Pride associations.
Iran is among six nations enforcing the death penalty for same-sex relationships, alongside Brunei, Mauritania, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen.
Ali Larijani, a former high-ranking Iranian official, had argued for the death penalty, claiming it protects society from “perversion,” which reflects the regime’s history of vigorous anti-LGBTQ+ positions.
This oppressive atmosphere has left many gay men in Iran facing immense pressure from state authorities, religious leaders, and family members to undergo gender reassignment surgery.
The current regime’s harsh stance stems from beliefs established in the 1980s under the Islamic Republic’s founder, viewing homosexuality as a disease.
While homosexuality isn’t explicitly illegal in Egypt, it is effectively criminalized.
